CHENNAI, MARCH 10: Some of the Western countries have downplayed the yield of the Pokhran nuclear tests last year since they have no idea of the geology of Pokhran, Department of Atomic Energy secretary and Atomic Energy Commission chairman R Chidambaram said on Thursday.While delivering a talk on challenges in nuclear technology at the Shaastra 2000 at IIT Madras, Chidambaram was asked to comment on reports in some of the Western countries that the yields of the Pokhran tests were not as high as expected by the Indian scientists.``Our teleseismic data from various centres have found that the yield was as accurate as planned. Studies on the effect of the radioactivity on the rocky strata have also confirmed this. All the selected nine global stations have recorded the two tests. Calculations of the yield of the underground tests depend on various geological aspects. The West has not understood the geology of Pokhran,'' he replied.Chidambaram said the yield of the Pokhran device, which weighed 45 kilotonne, was accurate ``on the bulls eye'' and the device ``is in a weaponisable configuration.''He said India is the only country which stands out for its indigenous nuclear technology. ``The US and Russia have shared technology, while the UK got its whole technology from the US. The US was associated with China, which in turn shared information with Pakistan. India is the one country which stands independent.''Chidambaram noted that advanced computing and simulation have brought down the number of tests - of any technology - the world over. The US is doing fewer number of tests, as computerisation has taken over.The AEC chairman said an eight-fold increase in the per capita power generation, among other things, is inevitable for India to become a developed country. Nuclear energy holds the key to the future power needs of the country, he added.While the present nuclear reactors work on the principle of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion is a future possibility for energy. The DAE is funding a fusion reactor at the Institute of Plasma Research.He asked the young scientific minds to do the country proud. ``Some of you may go abroad; there is nothing wrong in it. Only that you have to learn new things abroad and come back quickly to serve the country,'' he told students of science and technology.Delivering the special address, former chairman of AEC M R Srinivasan said it is alarming that India is becoming a heavy energy importing country, which threatens the economic security. Mismanagement of the State Electricity Boards and wrong policies of the governments have added to the problems, he said.There should be a better integration between industries, universities and laboratories for the development of science and technology. A balanced view is needed for sustainable development.IIT Madras director R Natarajan welcomed the gathering. The four-day Shaastra 2000 will include lectures, workshops and competitions on science and technology.
